Named Growing Light, designer Jordy Rooijakkers created a lighting prototype using OLED Technology, and which folds and unfolds in response to human touch. Check out the videos:

One of his tests that explores the behavior of the lights

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What if a telephone handset is lightweight and materially efficient? This is when origami comes in. Equipped with the same minimal components of a typical handset, designer Chengyuan Wei conceived of a system in which a flat handset folds into a three-dimensional object that fits the hand. Perfect for those who love the simplicity of a handheld phone without the web and email distractions.

via Yanko Design

The Ropes is a series of lamps conceived by Paris-based designer Christian Haas, incorporating energy efficient technology with traditional method of knotting cords.

Note: prepare to scrooooll!

About the Ropes:
A soft look and textile touch, energy-efficient technology, are combined to create an innovative light source and distinctive design object. Unlit, the lamps provide a graphic statement to their environment. Lit, they diffuse a gentle ambient light. Each of the Ropes varies in size and technique. Each unique and numbered piece varies in size and technique. Ropes are handmade in France and Germany.

Materials:
The textile cord outside is robust and dirt repellent. The light source inside the textile cord consists of warm-light LEDs with a durability of roundabout 50,000 hours.

Images courtesy of Christian Haas

San Francisco’s California College of Arts School of Architecture, in conjunction with the Architectural Association Visiting Program, hosted a 10-day intensive architectural workshop on Biodynamic Structures – a study of the force and energy of dynamic processes on living organisms. The final workshop discussion and exhibition was held last Wednesday evening, with all the participating designers displaying their experiments and prototypes. Utilizing computer applications such as RHINO, Grasshopper, and Arduino, each project was an investigation in biomimetic principles in nature, and through analysis and simulations, was translated into the design of responsive architectural systems. It was amazing to see the level of studies the participating designers undertook in just 10 days.

Check out the snapshots and videos taken during my visit to the opening night. I’ll try my very best to recall any details of the project as far as my memory can take me.

One group of designers investigated the structural framework of anthropod shells with a series of fabric studies below.

…………………………

Another group studied pleats based on studying the skin mechanism of the puffer fish, and translated into a responsive tarp system.

Click here to view the embedded video.

rear view

front view

part of the presentation board showing the pleat studies.

…………………………

Prototype of an acoustical system of ‘petals’ which open and close in response to noise.

Click here to view the embedded video.

preliminary prototype

Click here to view the embedded video.

…………………………

Design of a photo-responsive canopy system

…………………………

Origamic modules for a canopy design

Light-responsive canopy system

Click here to view the embedded video.

…………………………

Another light-responsive (?) canopy design

…………………………

prototype of a ceiling with acoustic-responsive ‘balloons’

Meg Grant began this animated textile prototype by producing folded patterns that are extended into a fabric structure connected to a small motor. The structure opens and close as the motor is powered. See her video after the break.

Click here to view the embedded video.

via Syuzi

Thanks to Pega Design who sent some images of their recent works. The design team came up with a brilliant series of origami-inspired wall stickers that both act as a home appliance and a wall decoration. Check it out.

excerpts of the design intent:

“Generally we seldom look at the decorative side of electronic appliances since we have practical purposes in mind. What if an object has dual lives, satisfying both functional and decorative reasons? Hence we made a series of wall stickers that could be used as interior decorations and house appliances (a lamp, a radio and a diffuser). Combining the art of origami, each wall sticker has a part that can be unfolded. By opening up this part, its function will gradually reveal. When closing down the origami part, the function fades away and the wall sticker becomes part of the interior again.”

In response to the bulky standard UK three-pin plug that never matches up to today’s streamlined electronic devices, designer Min-kyu Choi came up with a brilliant idea of the Folding Plug System which folds down to the thickness of a Macbook Air.

The Folding plug measures only 10mm wide when “folded” and features swiveling live and neutral pins. It has a pair flaps that can be unfolded to complete the standard UK plug.

Choi also created a multi-plug adaptor, a compact standard plug sized unit with space for three folded plugs to slot in.

Min Kyu Choi